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Inhibition of the firing of vasopressin neurons by atriopeptin

Nature volume 329, pages 151–153 (1987)Cite this article

Abstract

Atriopeptin, the atrial natriuretic peptide, is a circulating hormone that is released from the atria of mammalian hearts in response to volume expansion and acts upon the kidneys, adrenal glands and vasculature to regulate fluid and electrolyte homeostasis1. Atriopeptin is also present in the brain of the rat2–5. Atriopeptin immunoreactive cell bodies and fibres are found in many areas known to be involved in the central regulation of the cardiovascular system, suggesting that it may be a neuromediator in the central control of fluid and electrolyte balance6–8. The paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus, which contains the cell bodies of neurons that secrete vasopressin from the posterior pituitary gland, receives a dense innervation from atriopeptin-like immunoreactive fibres6,8–11. We have studied the effect of atriopeptin on the electrical activity of single neurons in the paraventricular nucleus of anaesthetized rats and found that atriopeptin is a potent inhibitor of putative vasopressin neurons. Atriopeptin, which has systemic actions that oppose those of vasopressin, may act as a neuromodulator in the brain to prevent vasopressin secretion.

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Author notes

  1. Clifford B. Saper: To whom correspondence should be addressed.

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pharmacology, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, Missouri, 63110, USA

    David G. Standaert & Philip Needleman

  2. Departments of Pharmacological and Physiological Sciences and Neurology,

    David F. Cechetto & Clifford B. Saper

  3. the Brain Research Institute, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, 60637, USA

    David F. Cechetto & Clifford B. Saper

Authors
  1. David G. Standaert
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  2. David F. Cechetto
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  3. Philip Needleman
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  4. Clifford B. Saper
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Standaert, D., Cechetto, D., Needleman, P. et al. Inhibition of the firing of vasopressin neurons by atriopeptin. Nature 329, 151–153 (1987). https://doi.org/10.1038/329151a0

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